Strategic Relations Lead - UAE

Bureau Veritas do Brasil; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Relations Lead – Building & Infrastructure (B&I) UAE (BN011) will drive executive engagement, government relations, and strategic partnerships for Bureau Veritas in the UAE. You will manage senior stakeholders, identify growth opportunities, and represent BV at industry events to enhance market visibility.

The role requires a deep UAE network, advanced negotiation skills, and a track record of leading strategic account efforts in a complex regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years UAE experience in government relations or strategic accounts.
• Strong network within UAE government entities and major private-sector organizations.
• Proven ability to identify and develop strategic business opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with senior executives and government officials.
• Represent Bureau Veritas at industry events and strengthen UAE market visibility.
• Identify opportunities across B&I services and support strategic clients.
• Monitor market trends and regulatory developments to inform growth.
• Arrange C-level meetings and prepare briefing notes for leadership.
• Develop strategic alliances with industry partners to strengthen market position.
• Maintain security and adhere to Bureau Veritas policies and procedures.

Skills

Executive Presence

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Negotiation

Networking

Public Speaking

Commercial Acumen

UAE Market Knowledge

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

Job Description:

Position

Strategic Relations Lead – Building & Infrastructure (B&I) UAE (BN011)

Office / Department

Building & Infrastructure (BNI)

Reporting to

• B&I Lead – UAE

Key Working Relationship

B&I Lead – UAE (CTC01), Operations Manager (CTC02), Technical Manager, Assistant (CTC03), project/QC engineer and other department personnel as needed

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors Degree in Business, Engineering, Public Relations, International Relations, or related field.
• MBA preferred.

Training

• Strategic Account Management Training (preferred)
• Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement Training (preferred)
• Business Development & Negotiation Training (advantageous)

Technical knowledge

• Strong understanding of UAE government structures, authorities, developers, and regulatory bodies.
• Extensive knowledge of UAE construction, infrastructure, and building sectors.
• Ability to identify and develop strategic business opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, networking, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of market intelligence and business growth strategies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of UAE experience.
• Strong network within UAE government entities, authorities, developers, and major private-sector organizations.
• Proven experience in strategic account management, government relations, or executive stakeholder engagement.

Key Competencies

• Executive Presence
• Relationship Building
• Strategic Thinking
• Negotiation & Influencing Skills
• Networking & Business Development
• Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
• Commercial Acumen
• UAE Market Knowledge
• Stakeholder Management

Responsibilities / Authorities / Accountabilities

Primary Functions

Strategic Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with senior executives, government officials, authority representatives, and key industry leaders.
• Act as the primary point of contact for strategic accounts and high-profile stakeholders.
• Represent Bureau Veritas at industry events, conferences, forums, and networking engagements.
• Strengthen Bureau Veritas visibility and reputation within the UAE market.

Government & Authority Relations

• Build relationships with municipalities, government entities, regulators, developers, and semi-government organizations.
• Facilitate introductions and meetings with key decision-makers.
• Monitor regulatory developments and identify opportunities arising from new initiatives and programs.
• Support strategic partnerships with public-sector organizations.

Business Development Support

• Identify and unlock new business opportunities across B&I services.
• Support sales and operational teams in engaging strategic clients.
• Assist in developing account growth strategies for major clients.
• Facilitate executive-level meetings to advance commercial opportunities.

Market Intelligence

• Monitor market trends, major projects, government initiatives, and investment programs.
• Provide strategic insights on potential clients, competitors, and emerging opportunities.
• Maintain a pipeline of strategic opportunities and stakeholder relationships.

Executive Engagement

• Arrange and coordinate C-level meetings for Bureau Veritas leadership.
• Support senior management in stakeholder engagement activities.
• Prepare briefing notes and relationship management strategies for executive interactions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Identify opportunities for collaboration with industry associations, developers, contractors, consultants, and technology partners.
• Develop strategic alliances that strengthen Bureau Veritas market position and service offerings.

Self Management

• Respects security guidelines of Bureau Veritas and safeguards personal security in the working environment.
• Actively participates in sharing knowledge and information (Knowledge Management).
• Demonstrates Bureau Veritas Core and Business Values.
• Results oriented.
• Service driven.
• Personal efficiency.
• Impact and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking.
• Problem solving and decision making.

Customer Focus

• Maintain regular contact with strategic clients and stakeholders.
• Understand client and market needs to support business growth.
• Develop trust and open communication with strategic partners.
• Regularly monitor stakeholder satisfaction.
• Promote Bureau Veritas services and capabilities.
• Support client retention and account growth initiatives.

HSE Requirements

• Comply at all times with all applicable legal requirements, BV Abu Dhabi HSE Policies and procedures, client’s HSE procedures and practices.
• Maintain personal work areas tidy and hazard free and report any deviation/fault/hazard immediately to the location manager/line manager/supervisor
• Report immediately any newly identified hazard and participate in devising suitable operational control to eliminate/minimize the pertinent risk.
• Report immediately any HSE incident and cooperate in investigation
• Use appropriate PPE at work area and be aware of:
  • the risks appropriate PPE will control or minimise
  • Report immediately in case the PPE is worn off or lost.
• Communicate to immediate manager any unsafe work practice or condition and opportunities for improvement of HSE practices.

Continual Development

• Complete professional training requirements within specified timeframes.
• Monitor industry trends, government initiatives, and market developments.
• Attend relevant conferences, seminars, and networking events.
• Maintain and expand strategic stakeholder network.
• Progress towards individual competency and leadership development targets.

KPIs

• Number of executive meetings arranged.
• Number of strategic stakeholder relationships established.
• New opportunities generated through strategic engagement.
• Revenue influenced through strategic accounts.
• Authority and government engagement activities completed.
• Client satisfaction and relationship strength.
• Strategic partnerships established.
• Contribution to annual business growth targets.

Monitored By

B&I Lead – UAE